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Released by: Impulse Pictures
Released on: September 10, 2013.
Director: Atsushi Fujiira
Cast: Megumi Kiyosato, Asami Okawa, Kumiko Itou
Year: 1985
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The Movie:
Directed by Atsushi Fujiira in 1985, Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish takes place in a quaint fishing village on the Japanese coast where many of the local ladies make their living as pearl divers. When the movie begins, we meet to of these ladies, Yumi and Sa-chan, who are busy pulling what they can off of the ocean floor and returning them to a boat piloted by an older matronly type. When they're done, the two rival pearl divers say their goodbyes and off they go to do their own thing. There's obviously some friction between the two of them.
From here we are introduced to Mr. Matsunaga, a real estate developer who puts profit over everything else. He sees in the village the prospect of turning it around and creating a money making tourist venture. He plans to do this by employing a hunk named Junpei to work his mojo on the ladies who own most of the property in the area, in hopes that his skills as a Casanova will convince them to sell him the land for pennies on the dollar. Not so surprisingly, this plan proves foolish and before you know it, the locals are in an uproar and lots of people have crazy, kinky sex. Of course, as various people in the town get involved in all of this, it comes down to Yumi and Sa-chan to put aside their differences and unite to save the day.
This entry in the Nikkatsu line from Impulse Pictures puts perversion over plot but with that said, even when the story is lacking, the crazy sexualized set pieces definitely deliver all you could want out of a movie titled Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish. In defense of the script, while it's predictable and light, it does resolve itself well. Like a lot of movies of its ilk, the main concept here is to string together the sex scenes. It does this nicely but still manages to conjure up a few interesting characters and memorable moments. The movie goes at a good pace, never overstaying its seventy minute run time and making great use of the authentic seaside locations not only to help set the mood and create atmosphere but also to stage some of the couplings that occur throughout the movie.
Highlighted by a completely ridiculous scene in which some female employees let their customers drink from strays placed directly in their super fun lady parts and which later works some unwitting sea creatures into the mix, the film is an enjoyable goofy mix of sex and comedy with plenty of Japan's trademarked bizarre-world eroticism worked into the plot (or more accurately padding the plot). People have sex in strange places and at inopportune times, we learn how the hyper-sexualized denizens of the village use sex to cure the common cold and we even get some rad dirt bike action thrown into things for good measure.
The dramatic aspects of the storyline don't always convince even if the performances are decent enough from the leads, but Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish is an enjoyable enough way to kill seventy minutes with enough naked ladies and horny dudes going around to satisfy most Roman Porno fans. It's really nicely shot, kinky enough to make you take notice and quite a bit of good, dirty fun.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish looks good in this 1.85.1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Colors are handled well and look quite natural as do skin tones, of which there are loads on display. Black levels aren't quite inky deep but they're strong and detail is pretty good across the board. There are no issues with print damage to complain about and overall this is a clean, sharp, good looking picture though it should be noted that a few scenes were shot with some softness in mind and that comes through in the transfer (as it should).
The Japanese language Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono track is crisp and clean though occasionally just a tiny bit shrill. The levels are well balanced and there are no issues with hiss or distortion. The optional English subtitles that are provided are free of any typos and easy to read. This won't floor you but it sounds fine, there are no problems.
Extras on the disc are limited to a menu, chapter selection and a fun trailer for the feature. Inside the case, however, is an insert containing some original poster art for the feature and liner notes from film scholar/author Jasper Sharp that provide some details on the film and on the cast and crew involved in the production. Additionally Sharp discusses the films centered around girl divers that came before this one and offers a nice overview of the director's career.
The Final Word:
Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish not only features a great name but it offers up quite a bit of entertainment value alongside some pretty great scenes of weird sex. The ladies look good, the cast do a fine job in most aspects and the impressive cinematography captures the great film's great locations with style to spare. Impulse's disc looks and sounds good and comes recommended for fans of the link.
